purpose: looking at an earthbound life with a heavenly perspective

Purpose seems such a driven word, doesn’t it? It can make us squirm if we think we have failed to define our purpose for being, or even for getting up in the morning. Yet each moment we live and breathe we are actually partakers in a purpose beyond our limited perspective.

Maybe we are going about things the wrong way, in trying to define purpose in terms of busyness and congratulating ourselves if the schedule we keep seems to suggest achievement? Because taking time for pondering, prayer, silence, stillness and rest can look like laziness to the unenlightened.

What if we saw ourselves in terms of how God sees us and asked ourselves what He requires from us? Our answers might differ from before. We’d be looking at an earthbound life with a much wider heavenly perspective.

Before we ever drew breath, God created us for a holy purpose, and it’s one that fits us alone, uniquely designed with us in mind. Within His general plan for mankind, we each have a role only we can fulfil, a destiny stretching into eternity.

The life I have lived, my painful past and the choices I have made have all helped create the woman I have become, as have circumstances I’ve experienced and relationships made or lost. The same is true for you, too, my friend.

We are not children of chance but children of God, His beloved ones. We’re here to get to know why we are here—to be in a close, loving relationship with God. All else flows from this: our work, worth and witness all speak of God’s hand on our life. They are not defined by how the world may see, assess or examine us.

Once we begin to look beyond the confining walls of our circumstances, we will gain awareness of God within and overseeing it all. There is purpose in the pain, shaping and changing, acceptance and surrender. We just need spiritual lenses on to be able to see it.

Joining the #FMF writing crew a little later than planned as we share our thoughts on this week’s prompt of ‘purpose’. You are welcome to join us here.

“He has told you, Oh man, what is good—and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8 – MEV

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14 thoughts on “purpose: looking at an earthbound life with a heavenly perspective”

Dear Joy, What a beautiful thought: “Once we begin to look beyond the confining walls of our circumstances, we will gain awareness of God within and overseeing it all.” And it is even more meaningful when I look at where the “walls” are that you are facing. God truly does have that beautiful purpose in mind for us, but His eyes see from a place outside of our own limitations, don’t they? I am so blessed by the words that He is drawing up from the wells of your heart during these difficult days. Those words speak to the wells in my own heart also. And I lift my prayers back to God for you and your husband there. May you be blessed with HIS Gracious Presence, Dear Friend! xoxo

Dear Bettie, I’m thankful to have some words to share today, and more grateful still that God gave me a few which have spoken to you! My mind didn’t seem to engage so well with poetry for this prompt, so after a couple of failed attempts I offered another prayer and just typed what came. These words certainly sprang from deep wells of my own experience but mostly from the deeper wells of God’s inspiration. God is making His Gracious Presence known to me in several ways, not least via the lovely encouraging comment you have left here. We remain thnakful for your friendship and prayers. Both are such a beautiful grace gift to us. Bless you, my friend! xoxo

So much goodness. Micah 6:8 is one of my all time fave verses. In fact, it was my seminary class’s class verse. THIS: “Before we ever drew breath, God created us for a holy purpose, and it’s one that fits us alone, uniquely designed with us in mind. Within His general plan for mankind, we each have a role only we can fulfil, a destiny stretching into eternity. I’m in the 5 spot this week.

Andrew, it’s so good to see you here! Sorry I haven’t made it over to your blog for a while. Life’s increasing demands have made it harder for me to keep up with my usual blog linking, reading and visiting. I think you’ve actually defined purpose very well with these words: “I just keep doing what I do in His service”, because isn’t it what God requires of us first and foremost, laced with His grace and enabled by His love? Your life is tough enough, based on being in survival mode more than most, yet you always have a word of fire-honed wisdom to share and a heart bent on seeking beauty despite the painful circumstances you are in. It seems you are strongly revealing God’s purpose for you in writing as well and inspiringly as you do, sharing your days and how they are shaped greatly by relationship as well as pain. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a thoughtful comment. I appreciate you being here, my friend! 🙂 x

There is definitely purpose in our pain. It is a shame we have to go through it, but it does make us who we are. As much as I hated what I went through in my life, I wouldn’t change it though. I wouldn’t be who I am today. I enjoyed reading this. Thank you 😊 fmf #80

Lynne, I totally sympathise with you. At the time of our worst tribulations and trials we feel anything but thankful. It takes time, perspective, hindsight and God-given insight to see how much we learn and grow through it all. And to discover how those painful things not only help shape us, they can become the making of us. Bless you for stopping by, my friend, it’s good to connect with you here! 🙂 x

“Once we begin to look beyond the confining walls of our circumstances, we will gain awareness of God within and overseeing it all. There is purpose in the pain, shaping and changing, acceptance and surrender. We just need spiritual lenses on to be able to see it.” Oh yes, we surely need those spiritual lenses, don’t we, Joy? I’m afraid I too often base my purpose on how much I do compared to others. Thank you for reminding me to look from God’s perspective. I need that reminder daily! Have a grace-sufficient week! Love and hugs!

These words: “I too often base my purpose on how much I do compared to others” are ones I can strongly relate to, Trudy. Oh yes…been there, done that and got the T-shirt! Comparison is such a joy killer. All it does is suggest we’re not enough, not achieving or succeeding like everyone else. It’s easy to feed into those lies when we’re incapacitated to start with. It helps to try to see ourselves as God sees us, to remember how our dust and ashes frame bears His hallmark and His Name. A daily reminder is my need too, because how easily we slip into forgetfulness and self-recrimination! I love your closing words. I hope and pray both of us will have “a grace-sufficient week” as we allow God’s Truth to root deep in our hurting hearts. Love and hugs to you, sweet friend! xo

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Hi, I'm Joy. Welcome to my blog. I write about my journey of life and faith with the goal of helping others toward greater freedom in knowing who they are in Christ.
And to reveal, as I share words of joy and encouragement, how beauty can spring forth from brokenness and hope shines bright even in dark circumstances.